Reducing import duty on used cars dangerous for economy – Expert

Tikolo made the call at a media parley at his office, Akin Adesola, Victoria Island, on the partnership between Cars45 and Dana Motors. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Cars45 provides one of a kind of platform for used cars in Nigeria, giving a private network of buyers the fastest way to find the perfect car that fits their buyers’ needs. Tikolo, on the heels of the recent call made by some stakeholders demanding a reduction on the tariff for imported vehicle by 15 per cent said such reduction could derail the existing auto policy. In a related development, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali, had also called for the same reduction by 35 per cent with an aim at curbing smuggling of vehicles into the country. However, on the contrary, Tikolo an expert in the automobile industry thinks differently on the idea, saying it is anathema to the desired economic prosperity of the country. “We must understand the prospect of the 2013 Auto Policy by the previous government which is aimed at encouraging local manufacturing of cars in Nigeria. “The call for the reduction in the tariff for the importation of used cars portends great danger to the economy and also for investors’ confidence in our economy. “Only the manufacturing sector can contribute effectively to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country which cars assembly and manufacturing can contribute up to 7 per cent. “In other advanced countries, car manufacturing contributes up to 12 per cent of their economy, examples are South Africa and Brazil,’’ he said. (NAN)]]>